FIGHT FOR AMRUT MAHAL KAVALDiversion of forest land denouncedThe grant of close to 10000 acres of forest land in Chitradurga district for non-forestry purposes threatens the ecology as well as the means of subsistence of local communities, leading irate villagers to decide to boycott the impending State Assembly elections.
Malini Shankar
reports.

It has been known informally for long. But recently, animal nutrition scientists announced that areca leaf sheath fodder can replace paddy straw. This is timely, since paddy straw supply has been declining, notes
Shrikrishna D.

The Maharashtra government claims that a huge transformation is taking place in Vidarbha;
the milk collection has risen 37 per cent. Distressed farmers, who were given the 'princely'
cows as relief, feel otherwise.
Jaideep Hardikar
does a reality check.

Tending livestock is difficult enough for settled communities, but for migrants the hardships are even worse.
Without formal laws providing them access to water or feed, they must continually negotiate these, or bribe
forest officials to obtain passage rights.
Surekha Sule
reports on recent studies highlighting their woes.